Monday 12, 2012
Chapter 13: Another View of Hester
This chapter goes deeper into Hester’s thoughts and explains her position and contributions to society. It starts out with Hester reviewing her encounter with Mr. Dimmesdale at the platform late at night. She has noticed how much he has changed in his personality and she fears for his mental well-being. Hester describes him as “His moral force was abased into more than childish weakness. It groveled helpless on the ground, even while his intellectual faculties retained their pristine strength, or had perhaps acquired a morbid energy, which disease only could have given them.” (Hawthorne 144) Hester explains how she believes that the reason why Mr. Dimmesdale is at this state is because of Roger Chillingworth’s influencing power. She realizes that during her time with Mr. Dimmesdale he was begging for her help. Hester was taken aback by this gesture because she was the outcast of the community. But, with that position she has also come to her own conclusions of what she believes is right and wrong instead of what society thinks is right and wrong. At this time seven years has passed since she stood on the platform in front of everyone to display her sin. The town has now come accustomed to referring to Hester as, “—who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!”(Hawthorne 147) They recognize that Hester works every day to earn Pearl’s and her necessities in life. It was also noted how she gave the most to the poor and the needy. Hester began to be acknowledged as the Sister of Mercy. Then, the change in the meaning of the letter was addressed, “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her,—so much power to do, and power to sympathize,—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” Not only did the meaning of the letter change but people began to belief that the letter had given Hester a supernatural form of power. It was described as, “It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness, which enabled her to walk securely amid all peril. Had she fallen among thieves, it would have kept her safe. It was reported, and believed by many, that an Indian had drawn his arrow against the badge, and that the missile struck it, but fell harmless to the ground.”(Hawthorne 147) Hester’s attitude about life shaped a new future for her. She displayed how much power she had within herself when she did not wither away because of her sin. She stepped above it and the townspeople noticed. But, she would not allow for credit to be given to her. When someone would try and greet her she would simply point to the letter and continue with her day. Also, in this chapter Hester’s appearance was noticeably different. Before her sin, Hester was known as a beautiful woman but because of her sin her lovely features began to disappear. Her hair was described to always be pulled tightly back and covered in from the sun. This is a very important symbolism. In novels, allowing a characters hair to be down is usually a symbol of freedom. In this novel the sun stands for the truth. In past chapters the author explains how Mr. Dimmesdale is always hiding in his closet when he punishes himself instead of coming out and admitting his fault. Similarly, Hester does not allow her hair or herself to be forgiven from her sin so that is why she remains as an outcast. Because Hester was an outcast she had a lot of time to think about society and women. Hester, also often thinks about Pearl, her presence on Earth, and if life was worth it. She questions how her life would be without Pearl and how now that God has given her Pearl she is a reminder of how the world is a difficult place. She then questions the birth of Pearl and if it was positive or not. But, her encounter with Mr. Dimmedale has given her a new topic to think about. She decides that she will help him escape from Roger Chillingworth. The last scene in the chapter is Hester with Pearl approaching Chillingworth who is collecting herbs and roots for his medicines.
Chapter 14: Hester and the Physician
This chapter begins with Hester stumbling upon her old husband along the shore. This is their first official confrontation in years. Chillingworth is searching for herbs to make medicines with when Hester finds him. She sends Pearl away so that she may speak to the doctor in private.
Pearl’s actions are very interesting when she leaves her mother. She flies away “like a bird, and, making bare her small white feet, [goes] pattering along the moist margin of the sea” (Hawthorne 152). Pearl has been compared to a bird several times throughout the novel so far, showing her free and electric spirit. The then looks into the water and smiles at her reflection. She invites her reflection to play with her, and the image does the same as if to say, “This is a better place! Come thou into the pool” (Hawthorne 152).This could be considered to be another supernatural influence on Pearl. Pearl knows how evil the world is; she has no other playmates and can only trust herself.
While Pearl is in the water, Hester confronts the doctor. Chillingworth tells Hester that the council has been debating whether or not to remove the scarlet letter from her breast because of her good deeds. She says that the men do not have to power to do so; she believes that if she was truly worthy to have it removed, then it would fall off on its own or transform into something with a different meaning. Hester has lost her passion over the years, and has succumbed to the building guilt for her sin. She has gained excessive guilt for Dimmesdale; she watches how the sin they share destroys him every day.
As they talk, Hester notices how much Chillingworth has changed. He is no longer old, calm, and studious, but rather has an aggressive and inquisitive look to him. Hester believes that his search for sin has changed him into this evil being. He tries to hide this new attitude, but fails. When he asks Hester what is causing her to stare at his face, she says that it is “something that would make me weep; if there were any tears bitter enough for it” (Hawthorne 154).
Hester shifts the conversation to Dimmesdale and how she feels that he deserves to know who Chillingworth really is. She regrets her promise to never reveal the identity of her former husband. She feels that it would have been better for Dimmesdale if he were hung in the gallows than to live with this guilt. Chillingworth does not believe he has done any wrong. He says that he is the reason that the reverend is still alive. He has realized that Dimmesdale has a supernatural feeling of suspicion towards the doctor, but knows that Dimmesdale will never reveal it. He has committed his life to tormenting himself for his sin. Hester questions the doctor: “Hast thou not tortured him enough?” (Hawthorne 156), but Chillingworth does not think he has in the slightest. He believes that Dimmesdale has increased his debt, not just for the medical care the doctor has provided, but also because of the disgusting creature the doctor has been transformed into. Hester disagrees and tries to convince him that it is her fault as well. Chillingworth does not take any extra revenge on Hester though, for the scarlet letter she wears takes care of that. She says that the letter has taught her the virtue of truth, and that is why she must tell Dimmesdale who Chillingworth really is. She says that truth burns the soul like an iron, and there is no good for any of them left in this world.
Chillingworth pities Hester. He believes that if she had married someone who loved her better than he did, then this sin never would have been committed. Hester also pities Chillingworth, because of the horrible demon he has turned into. He has realized that he does not have the power to purge this demonic spirit from him. He tells Hester to do what she will with the reverend, and goes on picking his herbs.
This chapter begins with Hester stumbling upon her old husband along the shore. This is their first official confrontation in years. Chillingworth is searching for herbs to make medicines with when Hester finds him. She sends Pearl away so that she may speak to the doctor in private.
Pearl’s actions are very interesting when she leaves her mother. She flies away “like a bird, and, making bare her small white feet, [goes] pattering along the moist margin of the sea” (Hawthorne 152). Pearl has been compared to a bird several times throughout the novel so far, showing her free and electric spirit. The then looks into the water and smiles at her reflection. She invites her reflection to play with her, and the image does the same as if to say, “This is a better place! Come thou into the pool” (Hawthorne 152).This could be considered to be another supernatural influence on Pearl. Pearl knows how evil the world is; she has no other playmates and can only trust herself.
While Pearl is in the water, Hester confronts the doctor. Chillingworth tells Hester that the council has been debating whether or not to remove the scarlet letter from her breast because of her good deeds. She says that the men do not have to power to do so; she believes that if she was truly worthy to have it removed, then it would fall off on its own or transform into something with a different meaning. Hester has lost her passion over the years, and has succumbed to the building guilt for her sin. She has gained excessive guilt for Dimmesdale; she watches how the sin they share destroys him every day.
As they talk, Hester notices how much Chillingworth has changed. He is no longer old, calm, and studious, but rather has an aggressive and inquisitive look to him. Hester believes that his search for sin has changed him into this evil being. He tries to hide this new attitude, but fails. When he asks Hester what is causing her to stare at his face, she says that it is “something that would make me weep; if there were any tears bitter enough for it” (Hawthorne 154).
Hester shifts the conversation to Dimmesdale and how she feels that he deserves to know who Chillingworth really is. She regrets her promise to never reveal the identity of her former husband. She feels that it would have been better for Dimmesdale if he were hung in the gallows than to live with this guilt. Chillingworth does not believe he has done any wrong. He says that he is the reason that the reverend is still alive. He has realized that Dimmesdale has a supernatural feeling of suspicion towards the doctor, but knows that Dimmesdale will never reveal it. He has committed his life to tormenting himself for his sin. Hester questions the doctor: “Hast thou not tortured him enough?” (Hawthorne 156), but Chillingworth does not think he has in the slightest. He believes that Dimmesdale has increased his debt, not just for the medical care the doctor has provided, but also because of the disgusting creature the doctor has been transformed into. Hester disagrees and tries to convince him that it is her fault as well. Chillingworth does not take any extra revenge on Hester though, for the scarlet letter she wears takes care of that. She says that the letter has taught her the virtue of truth, and that is why she must tell Dimmesdale who Chillingworth really is. She says that truth burns the soul like an iron, and there is no good for any of them left in this world.
Chillingworth pities Hester. He believes that if she had married someone who loved her better than he did, then this sin never would have been committed. Hester also pities Chillingworth, because of the horrible demon he has turned into. He has realized that he does not have the power to purge this demonic spirit from him. He tells Hester to do what she will with the reverend, and goes on picking his herbs.
Chapter 15 Summary- Hester and Pearl:
The chapter begins with old Roger Chillingworth stooping away from Hester after their conversation. As he is walking he is collecting herbs and medicines to “treat” sick Dimmesdale with. Hester is staring at him and wondering about his maliciousness. She wonders how such an evil man can walk so calmly and undisturbed. Hester imagines that “[…]the tender grass of early spring would not be blighted beneath him, and show the wavering track of his footsteps, sere and brown, across its cheerful verdure”(Hawthorne 158). This shows how Hester believes that he truly is the devil and that the grass should be setting up in flames under each footstep he takes. The flames represent the devil and Hell so therefore, Hester sees the evil which she had not seen in Chillingworth seven years before. She also reminisces on the old days when she used to be married to Chillingworth. This is important because she does not talk about how she used to love him but rather how he deceived her into loving him and tricked her into thinking she was happy. She considers those days to be some of her worst memories and she mentions that marring him was, “her crime most to be repented of, that she had ever endured, and reciprocated, the lukewarm grasp of his hand, and had suffered the smile of her lips and eyes to mingle and melt into his own”(Hawthorne 159). This is extremely significant because by blatantly saying this it shows that Hester is more disappointed in her decision to marry Chillingworth than in her decision to commit adultery. Her crime of adultery was committed with an extreme passion and maybe this is why she is not as regretful of it because her marriage was a misleading passion, one she is not proud of. She also thinks that by Chillingworth tricking her into loving him, he committed a worse crime to her than she did to him. Most importantly, Hester blames Chillingworth for the reason for her sins. This is because if he had never simply made her think that she was in love and married her with no passion, then when someone came along who she actually had feelings for, she could not hold herself back. All this time Pearl is playing freely on the beach. She is still trying to get her reflection to come out of the puddle and play with her and she even tries joining the girl in the puddle, but of course she fails. Pearl once again sees her reflection in the ocean water and she tries to invite it to play but of course it will not play with her. This outlines the fact that she is seen as an outcast in society and has no one else to trust and befriend besides herself. Pearl takes a jellyfish and lies it out in the sun to melt. This is terrible because she is perfectly happy to just kill this jellyfish by letting it fry in the sun, however, the jellyfish may represent acceptance. This is significant because Pearl lets her acceptance in society burn away and she does not care that she is not accepted, just as she does not care that the jellyfish is dying. Pearl only cares about being free to do what she wishes and not being held back by simple means such as acceptance. She later throws white sea foam into the air and attempts to catch it. A flock of sea birds are on the shore and Pearl pelts them with pebbles and eventually stops because one little gray bird with a white chest flys away with a broken wing and this upsets her. The bird is as wild and free as Pearl but then she hurts this freedom and this is why she stops. Finally, she uses seaweed to dress up like a mermaid and takes eelgrass and makes a green “A” on her chest. She is ecstatic to show her mother and see if she asks her what it means. Because it is green, it symbolizes life and by showing it to Hester, Pearl is attempting to show her mother that in her scarlet letter there is life and goodness out of her sin. This goodness includes having Pearl and not living with the guilt of her sin but instead living a life of truth and freedom(even though she does not really accept this ability to have freedom). Not only does it represent life, but it can also represent innocence. Hester sees the letter and tells Pearl that the letter has no significance and asks her what it means. Pearl replies by saying that it is simply the letter “A” from the alphabet but she later says, “It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!”(Hawthorne 161). This proves that Pearl knows that the sin has to do with the minister and she knows that the minister holds his hand over his heart because of guilt. However, naive Pearl does not know what the sin is because she is too young to understand adultery. Hester is shocked and in her mind she compares Pearl to an April breeze; “which spends its time in airy sport, and has its gusts of inexplicable passion, and is petulant in its best of moods, and chills oftener than caresses you, when you take it to your bosom; in requital of which misdemeanours, it will sometimes, of its own vague purpose, kiss your cheek with a kind of doubtful tenderness, and play gently with your hair, and then begone about its other idle business, leaving a dreamy pleasure at your heart”(Hawthorne 162). This is describing Pearl and talking about how she is wild and unpredictable like an April breeze. At this point, Hester begins to consider that she may be able to now think of Pearl as a friend who she can confide in. During the first few years of Pearls life, Hester believed that Pearls curiosity with the scarlet letter was a way of punishment from God but she now believes that Pearl might have been sent from God to soothe the wild passion and sorrow in her heart. Walking home, Pearl repeatedly asks about the letter and Hester tells her that she wears it because it looks nice with the gold thread. The chapter concludes with Pearl asking her mother and Hester replying by telling her to be quiet or else she will shut her in a dark closet.
Character Development:
Hester:
In chapter 13 the readers see Hester develop into a “Sister of Mercy”. She is described as to be the first person at the bed side of a sick person or a person in need. “None so ready as she to give of her little substance to every demand of poverty…” (Hawthorne 146) Hester presence is always notice to be in the shadows when there is someone in need of help. Hester became so helpful and her power to aid and sympathize with others was noted by the townspeople. But, Hester stills continues to obey her position as an outcast in society. After a sickness has come and gone through someone so does Hester and even if an individual tries to confront her on the streets she makes it clear by pointing to her letter that she is still the women who committed adultery and nothing else. Another development in Hester is how she has gained a more authoritative, and powerful strength through the Scarlet Letter. The townspeople speak about how the Letter is compared to a cross on a nun, that nothing evil can try and touch Hester. The audience also sees the development in her real feelings for Mr. Dimmesdale. Once, Hester realizes that he is hurting she wants to help him, even if it means revealing who Chillingworth really is. “She decided, moreover, that he had a right to her utmost aid.”(Hawthorne 144) The audience understands that Hester feels at fault for the position that Mr. Dimmesdale is in and she feels obligated to try and fix it.Chillingworth:
In chapter 14, the reader is led in on how much Chillingworth has changed over the years. Hester notices that he has aged well, because his eagerness and vigor shines through his old skin. The old and studios man he used to be has been replaced. He smiles to cover this up, but the smile reveals the darkness inside of his soul. He has a red light in his eyes, as if his soul was on fire. He is described as an example of how a man who spends time doing the devil’s work will eventually turn into a devil. He has devoted the past seven years to tearing apart a sad man’s soul. When he first looks at Dimmesdale’s chest, he is compared to devil. We see his demonic transformation progress in this chapter. There is one point where he realizes how frightful he has become. He raises his hands with horror, for he has never seen himself as he does at that moment. He knows that he has changed into an evil being, but will not take any responsibility for it. He blames the two sinners, Hester and Dimmesdale, for the demon he has become.
Pearl:
In these chapters, Pearl slightly develops as a character. We learn that even though Pearl may just be a naive seven year old, that she knows a lot more about the scarlet “A” than we think. She was always asking Hester what the “A” meant but she knew all along the basics of the situation. She makes the incredible intellectual connection that the “A” on Hester’s chest is there for the same reason that the minister grips his chest in agony. When Pearl makes the green “A” on her chest she is testing Hester by seeing how she reacts and trying to get her to admit to her what the “A” truly means. Later, when Hester sees the green “A” she inquires about the meaning of the scarlet “A” at the beach Pearl says she wears it, “[…]for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!”(Hawthorne 161). The scarlet letter on Hester’s chest is a punishment and causes her pain where the minister feels pain in the same spot because he is living in guilt with the same sin. This can also show that Pearl has some sort of supernatural qualities because of her capability to make these sort of connections when she barely knows about the situation.
Thematic development:
In this section, we see the development of the theme that eventually, all truth must be revealed. This is introduced at the end of chapter 13 when Hester decides that she must tell Dimmesdale the truth about Chillingworth. She made a promise to the doctor to keep this a secret for eternity, but eventually all secrets must be revealed. During chapter 14, she tries to convince the doctor to allow her to reveal his identity to Dimmesdale. Throughout this chapter, Chillingworth’s true character begins to be revealed as well. The reader sees how foul and evil he has become, but he tries desperately to hide this. Hester sees through him, however, showing that he cannot hide the truth. In chapter 15, Pearl interrogates her mother about the letter on her breast. She is determined to find out her mother’s secret. This seems to foreshadow that Pearl will eventually learn the truth about the scarlet letter. Pearl is not going to give up until she knows the truth, adding to the thematic development in these chapters.
In this section, we see the development of the theme that eventually, all truth must be revealed. This is introduced at the end of chapter 13 when Hester decides that she must tell Dimmesdale the truth about Chillingworth. She made a promise to the doctor to keep this a secret for eternity, but eventually all secrets must be revealed. During chapter 14, she tries to convince the doctor to allow her to reveal his identity to Dimmesdale. Throughout this chapter, Chillingworth’s true character begins to be revealed as well. The reader sees how foul and evil he has become, but he tries desperately to hide this. Hester sees through him, however, showing that he cannot hide the truth. In chapter 15, Pearl interrogates her mother about the letter on her breast. She is determined to find out her mother’s secret. This seems to foreshadow that Pearl will eventually learn the truth about the scarlet letter. Pearl is not going to give up until she knows the truth, adding to the thematic development in these chapters.
Social Criticism :
Hawthorne challenges and criticizes the way that Puritan's live and their beliefs In these chapters Hawthorne emphasizes on how even though seven years has passed since Hester’s sin and she dedicates her time to help the poor and the needy she still has not been forgiven by some of the townspeople. “ It was only the darkened house that could contain her.”(Hawthorne 146) This shows how they will accept her presence in time of need but they would else wise not associate themselves with her. He portrays the Puritan’s as very selfish people in this scene. Also, Hawthorne highlights how Pearl is playing with herself at the sea shore because all of the other children will not except her. Pearl sees her reflection in the water and wants her to play with her. Of course the image can not and this scene stresses how society has forced Pearl to become an outcast and only trust herself. Hawthorne wanted to create this novel to accentuate all of the flaws in Puritan’s lives.
Modern Day Connection:
At Kennedy High School, in La Palma, California, students are labeled according to how they perform on their state standardized tests. The students who receive the highest scores(advanced) are forced to wear a black card on their shirts, students with proficient scores must wear a gold card, and finally, the students with the lowest scores wear a white card. The students who wear the black and gold cards are accepted and idolized where the students who wear the white cards are looked down upon and seen as outcasts. Other students mock the people with the white cards and judge them based purely on the color. This relates to The Scarlet Letter because the students with the white cards are outcasts in society for one bad thing they did where Hester is also ostracized for one mistake. Also Hester has to wear a red “A” representing her crime just as the students who do poorly must wear a white card. Society judges them only on what they are wearing on the outside and they do not even give them a second chance.
Article: http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2011/10/06/modern-scarlet-letter-school-id-cards-mark-the-smart-kids/
Citation:
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso. “Modern Scarlet Letter: School ids mark the smart kids” Yahoo News 6 October 2011.
Citation:
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso. “Modern Scarlet Letter: School ids mark the smart kids” Yahoo News 6 October 2011.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Dover Publications, 1994. Print.
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